Hanover - Bethel Primary and Junior High School

Bethel Primary and Junior High School are situated in Hopewell, Hanover. It is seated comfortably on a conical hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The school is approximately 11 km west of Montego Bay, St. James and 25 km east of Lucea, the capital of Hanover.

Socio-Cultural and Economic Status

From data collected from students’ files, it is evident that approximately 50% of the parents of students who attend this institution are unemployed. Less than fifty percent (50%) is employed in the Tourism Industry, Agriculture, Tele-Marketing, Manufacturing and less than 10% are self-employed.

From growing trends, it is estimated that roughly 35% of these parents have attained secondary education and approximately 65% attained primary education. Although it is evident that these parents attended various educational institutions in and around the community it shows that some of these parents remain illiterate. This can be proven when assignments and projects are given; they are not properly completed or not completed. It is also evident in oral and written communication with and from parents.

School Capacity

Since the removal of the shift system, the school is now capable of accommodating approximately eight hundred (800) students on a daily basis. Currently, there are Seven hundred and five students (705) students enrolled in the school inclusive of the ASTEP students. The daily average attendance is six hundred and eighty (618) for the first term of the 2015-2016 academic year. This includes the students of ASTEP.

In September 2011, the Alternative Secondary Transitional Programme (ASTEP) was added to the school’s programme. The programme started with thirty-six (36) students and currently has two classes of students with a combined total of forty-five students.

How will the funds be used?

The Pledge2Build campaign was
developed to raise funds for capital improvement of early childhood and primary
institutions across Jamaica. This is to ensure that the schools are safe and
provide children with a conducive learning environment.

The funds raised will be used to carry out the
following scope of works at the school:

·Remove
blackboard and replace with partitions in some of the classrooms

·Repairs
to roof, ceiling & walls of classrooms

·Replace
decorative blocks with windows to enhance lighting and prevent water seeping in
classrooms